Counterbalanced berth arrangement



May 22, 1956 c. w. OSNER 2,746,063

COUNTERBALANCED BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed Sept. 10, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenior By Me wgcfzce Osner .Ai'iorney May 22, 1956 c. w. OSNER COUNTERBALANCED BERTH ARRANGEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10. 1954 v lnvenior e W gamer .Ailorney Clarenc al/M May 22, 1956 c. w. OSNER COUNTERBALANCED BERTI-I ARRANGEMENT 4 Sheets$heet 5 Filed Sept. 10, 1954 lnv en ior' CZarenCeI/IZOSne-r- U47 iorney May 22, 1956 c. w. OSNER 2,746,063

OUNTERBALANCED BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed Sept. 10, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,eea r lull II I Invenior C'larence W Osncr fig. 9 goj y .Aiiorney I United States Patent C) COUNTERBALANCED BERTH ARRANGEMENT Clarence W. Osner, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Pullman- Standard Car Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application September 10, 1954, Serial No. 455,253

18 Claims. (Cl. -9)

This invention relates to berth structures and more particularly to an equalizing or counterbalancing mechanism for raising and lowering vertically movable berths.

This invention comprises an improvement over existing equalizing or counterbalancing mechanisms carried in the berth housing, the berth moving vertically from an inoperative position to an operative position. The value of such unitary berth structures wherein the equalizing mechanism resides in the berth per se rather than in the ceiling, making for a more standardized and complete unit and allowing for more headroom, is well recognized. By using such a unit, the berth structure may be employed in any suitable arrangement, the only necessity being ceiling hooks for the berth cables, which are attached at one end to the ceiling and at the other end to the equalizing mechanism. One of the problems inherent in this type of structure is that of properly controlling the vertical movement of the berth while keeping the structural means for attaining such finely balanced control at a minimal size in order to retain the unitary feature.

Therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide an improved berth counterbalancing mechanism whereby such perfect counterbalancing of the weight of a berth structure is maintained that the berth remains balanced at any position between the raised inoperative position and the lowered operative position, only a small force being required for movement either upward or downward.

Another object of this invention is to provide a counterbalance mechanism for attaining perfect counterbalancing of a berth. structure wherein the mechanism is assembled into the berth structure as a unit, the structure being usable in any arrangement where suspension cables attached at one end to the mechanism are attachable to an overload structure.

And another object of this invention is to provide an improved counterbalancing mechanism which comprises a spring-loaded lever pivotally mounted in a berth structure, with a pair of suspension cables operative off opposite ends of the lever and extending over a system of pulleys to the respective corners of the berth Where they extend upwardly to suspend the structure from the ceiling or other overhead structure of an accommodation in which the berth structure is installed These and other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a room of a railway car embodying the present invention, the section being taken through the room end partitions and showing the berth structures in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a broken plan View along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, the bedding being removed and showing the ar-. rangement of a counterbalancing mechanism located in the bottom space of a berth structure when the berth is in the night or operative position;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the berth structure 2,746,063 Patented May 22, 1956 depicted in Fig. 2, with a portion broken away to show certain parts more clearly;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the position of the counterbalance mechanism when the berth is in the day or inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View along the line 7-7 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the cable anchoring arrangement shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view along the line 9-9 in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a room 10 is shown in a railway sleeping car 11 having a floor 12 and a roof 13; the room being defined by a ceiling 14, side wall 15, a partition 16 parallel to the side wall, and room partitions 17. One partition 17 may have a door 18 therein, or an entire panel 19 of the partition may be of shiftable construction if it is desired to enlarge the room. The partition 16 may be that of a passageway in the car, or of an annex or other subdivision of the room 10. Inside the room 10 is a seat having a cushion 2i and back 21, the back being attached to a longitudinally tiltable lower berth structure 22, balanced by a spring 23. The lower berth structure forms no part of the invention. Above a Window 24, an upper berth structure 25 is shown in an operative or night position, to which the berth is lowered by means of suspension cables 26 which are affixed at their upper ends to brackets 27 mounted on the ceiling or other elevated objects. Stops 28 are used to limit downward movement of and to support the berth 25, and guide tracks 29 on the side wall 15 and partition 16 serve to guide the vertical movement of the berth. The berth is held in its down position by holding devices (not shown). Any suitable means, not shown, may be used to lock the berth in its raised inoperative position.

The berth structure frame comprises a berth bottom 30, side rails 31 and an end rail 32 at each end thereof, the rails and bottom being joined as by spot welding. A side stifiener 33 of W section runs along each inner angle between the side and bottom, and a similar end stiffener 34 along the angle between each end and the bottom. The rail corners and stiffener corners arev strengthened by vertical corner angles 35 and horizontal gusset plates 36 respectively. A bed spring 37 may be placed on the horizontal shelf or ledge portion of the stifieners, with a mattress 3S and cover 39 placed over it (Fig. 1). The placement of the spring 37 leaves a lower space 40 above the berth bottom sheet 30 in which an improved counterbalancing mechanism may be disposed.

The improvement of this invention over the usual counterbalancing spring and pulley arrangement comprises a very finely balanced arrangement wherein a springloaded lever unit 41 pivotally mounted on the berth bottom 30 has two pairs'of the suspension cables 26 each operating ofif double pulley units 42 at opposite ends of the lever 43, the cables extending over a system of pulleys to the respective corners of the berth 25 where the cables 26 extend upwardly to their overhead fixtures 27. By this arrangement, the weight of the berth structure is counterbalanced by the mechanism to such an extent that only a small amount of vertical hand force is required to move the berth up or down.

A tension coil spring 44 is secured at one corner of each side by an anchor 45, from whence a cable 46 extends adjacent a side stifi'ener 33 to a sheave bracket 47 having a guide pulley 48 mounted thereon by means of a bolt 49 and separated therefrom by means of a sleeve spacer 50 (Fig. 6). From each guide pulley, the cable extends at right angles to the side stiifeners to another guide pulley unit 51. from where the. cable is guided to a clevis 52 attached to the power lever 43.

By reference to Fig. 4, where the mechanism arrangement is depicted when the berth structure is in the day or inoperative position, it may be noted that the final directions of the cables 46 from the second set of guide pulleys 51 are parallel, and that the pull of each spring 44 is in opposite directions and on opposite sides of the lever 43, and that the point of attachment of each clevis member 52 to the lever 43 is substantially halfway between the pivot pin 53 of the lever and each end thereof. By then referring to Fig. 2 where the berth is shown in the operative or night position, it may be noted that the relationship between the final directions of the cables 46 remains parallel. By this arrangement the counterbalancing is so efiective that the berth may be stopped at any point along its vertical path and remain balanced there.

The suspension cables 26 enter the structure 25 at each corner through a guard 54, where they engage corner pulley units 55 by which the cable pair at each end of the berth is directed to an offset double pulley unit 56 mounted near the adjacent end rail 32, from whence each end pair of cables is directed to one of two double pulley units 42 at opposite ends of the lower lever 43 and then redirected to a suspension cable anchor unit 57. Thus, it may be seen from Fig. 4, where the springs 44 maintain the counterbalance mechanism in the normal position, that upon lowering of the berth structure 25 the lever 43 will move clockwise as viewed in the figure, tensioning the springs, and allowing the suspension cables 26 to play out so as to lower the berth until the operating position shown in Fig. 2 is reached, whereupon further downward movement of the berth is prevented by the side wall stops 28. Upon raising the berth, the springs 44 tend to attain their normal length, thus pulling the lever 43 in a counterclockwise manner, so that the lever double pulley units 42 pull in the suspension cables 26 as the berth moves upward.

In Fig. 5, the structure of a double pulley unit 42 is shown wherein a bolt 58 holds a pulley 59 above and below the lever 43, separated therefrom by spacers 60. Fig. 6 shows a guide pulley unit 51 which comprises a pulley 48 attached to a sheave bracket 47 by means of a bolt 49 and separated therefrom by a spacer 50. Fig. 7 shows the pivot bracket 61 for the lever 43 which is secured thereto by the pivot bolt 53 extending through a bushing 62 inserted in the lever 43. All the brackets are secured to the bottom sheet of the berth as by spot welding.

In Fig. 8 the suspension cable anchor bracket 57 is shown. A pair of cables 26 are attached to the bracket by means of an adjusting bolt unit 63 and grip 64 for each cable, a guide 65 directing the cables. In case adjustment of the length of any suspension cable is necessary, as in installing the berth, the structure is put in the operative position (Fig. 2), and the lever 43 is held against return movement by inserting a pin 66 (Fig. 2) in an aperture 66a (Fig. 4) provided in the adjustment bracket 67. Then the adjustment may be made by the appropriate bolt 63 at either anchor 57. Fig. 9 shows the clevis attachment whereby the cable 46 is joined to a clevis 52 by means of a thimble 68 and sleeve 69 and the clevis is secured to the lever 43 by a pin 70 and cotter 71, a bushing 72 being inserted in the lever 43. The corner pulley guide units 55 are secured to the end rails by a sheave bracket 73 and screws 74, the pulleys being disposed in a vertical plane. A roller guide unit 75 having a roller 76 inserted in the guide track 29 for guide purposes is mounted underneath each side of the structure 25 adjacent one end thereof (Fig. 3). Each offset double pulley unit 56 comprises a pair of brackets 77 secured to each other as by welding and to the berth bottom 30 as by bolts 78 and disposed at each end of the berth within the stiflener 34, which is appropriately cut away for the purpose. mounted in each bracket 77 by a pin 80 and cotter 81 (Fig. 3).

It is thus apparent that an improved power lever type mechanism for counterbalancing the weight of a berth A pulley 79 is- A structure is provided, the mechanism being enclosed in the bottom space of the berth structure.

What is claimed is:

1. In a berth a structure, counterbalance mechanism mounted in said structure for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external of said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end internal of said structure and secured thereto, pivotal means secured to said structure and engaging said cables, and biasing means secured at one end to the structure and at the other end to said pivotal means and tending to rotate said pivotal means so as to take up the suspension cables.

2. In a berth structure, a counterbalance mechanism residing on the structure for vertically lowering and raisin g said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external of said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end directed to said structure by a system of pulleys in said structure and being anchored to said structure, pivotal means secured to said structure and engaging said cables, and spring means secured at one end to the structure and at the other end to said pivotal means and tending to rotate said pivotal means so as to take up the suspension cables.

3. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end extending from a corner of the structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end directed by a pulley device at said corner to a double pulley means adjacent an end of said structure and then being anchored to said structure, pivotal means secured to said structure and engaging said cables before they are anchored, and spring means secured at one end to said structure and at the other end to said pivotal means and tending to take up the suspension cables.

4. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalance mechanism mounted in said space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external of said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end internal of said space and secured to said structure, lever means pivotally secured to said structure and having rotatable means secured thereto for engaging the suspension cables, and spring means secured at one end to the structure and at the other end to the lever means and tending to rotate said lever means so asto take up the cables.

5. In a berth structure having a lower space therein,

an equalizing mechanism mounted in said space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external of said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end internal of said space and secured to said structure, a lever pivotally mounted on said structure in said lower space and having a double pulley unit rotatably mounted at each end thereof engaging said cables, and spring means secured at one end to the structure and at the other end to the lever and tending to rotate said lever so as to take up the cables.

6. A berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism mounted in said space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external of said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end secured in said space to said structure, pivotal means secured to said structure and engaging said suspension cables, and spring means including springs secured to said structure adjacent the sides thereof and tension cables attached to said springs and to opposing portions of said pivotal means, and a system of pulleys secured to said structure for directing said tension cables to the pivotal means in opposite directions, thereby tending to rotate said pivotal means so as to take up the suspension cables.

7. In a berth structure having a space therein, a counterbalance mechanism mounted in said space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external to said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end secured in said space to said berth structure, pivotal means secured to said berth structure and engaging said suspension cables, and a pair of spring units each including a spring secured at a corner of said structure extending adjacent a side thereof and a cable secured to the free end of the spring and directed by a first guide pulley away from said side so as to be normal thereto and then directed by a second guide pulley to a portion of said pivotal means where said cable is secured, said guide pulleys being secured to said structure, the cables of said spring units being secured at opposing portions of said pivotal means to bias said pivotal means for rotation in a direction to take up the suspension cables.

8. A counterbalancing mechanism for vertically lowering and raising a berth structure, comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one, end external of said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end being directed to said lower space by a system of pulleys in said structure and being anchored in the lower space to said structure, lever means pivotally secured to said structure and having rotatable means secured thereto for engaging the suspension cables, and spring means including a spring secured to said structure adjacent each side of said space and a pair of cables attached to said springs and directed through a system of pulleys to opposing portions of said lever means to bias said lever means for rotation to take up the suspension cables, said pulleys being secured to said structure.

9. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalance mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external to said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end being directed to said lower space by a system of pulleys in said structure and being anchored in the lower space to said structure, lever means pivotally secured to said structure and having rotatable means secured thereto for engaging the suspension cables, and a pair of spring units each including a spring secured at a corner of said structure extending adjacent a side thereof and a cable secured to the free end of the spring and directed by a first guide pulley away from said side so as to be normal thereto and then directed by a second guide pulley to a portion of said lever means where said cable is secured, the spring unit cables being secured to said lever means at opposing portions thereof and extending in opposite directions therefrom, thereby tending to rotate said lever means so as to take up the suspension cables.

10. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external to said structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end directed to said lower space by a system of pulleys in said structure and being anchored to said structure, a lever pivotally mounted at its center on said structure in the lower space and having a double pulley unit rotatably mounted at each end thereof and engaging said cables, and spring means including a spring secured to said structure adjacent each side thereof and having a cable attached to said spring and being directed through a system of pulleys to said lever, said spring unit cables being attached to opposed portions of the lever and directed oppositely, thereby tending to rotate said lever about its pivot so as to take up the suspension cables.

11. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end external to said structure for attachment to an over head object and the other end directed to said lower space by a system of pulleys in said structure and being anchored to said structure, a lever pivotally mounted on said structure in the lower space and having a double pulley unit rotatably mounted at each end thereof and engaging said suspension cables, and a pair of spring units wherein each unit includes a spring secured at a corner of said structure extending adjacent an edge thereof and a cable secured to the free end of the spring and directed by a first guide pulley away from the edge so as to be normal thereto and then directed by a second guide pulley to a portion of said lever where said cable is secured, the spring unit cables being secured to said lever so as to bias the lever for rotation to take up the suspension cables.

12. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end extending from a corner of the structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end directed by a pulley device at said corner to a double pulley means adjacent an edge of said structure and being an chored to said structure, lever means pivotally securedto said structure and having rotatable means secured thereto for engaging the suspension cables, and spring means including a spring secured to said structure adjacent each of opposed edges of said structure and having a cable attached to said spring and the lever means, and a system of pulleys directing the spring means cables in opposite directions to opposing portions of said lever means, thereby tending to rotate said lever means so as to take up the suspension cables.

13. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end extending from a corner of the structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end directed by a pulley device at said corner to a double pulley means adjacent an end of said structure and anchored to said structure, lever means pivotally secured to said structure and having rotatable means secured thereto engaging the suspension cables, and a pair of spring units wherein each unit includes a spring secured at a corner of said structure extending adjacent a side thereof and a cable secured to the free end of the spring and directed by a first guide pulley away from the side so as to be normal thereto and then directed by a second guide pulley to a portion of said lever where said cable is secured, the cables being secured to said lever so as to take up the suspension cables.

14. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end extending from a corner of the structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end directed by a pulley device at said corner to a double pulley means adjacent an end of said structure and anchored to said structure, a lever pivotally mounted on said structure in the lower space and having a double pulley unit mounted at each end thereof, each unit rotatable relative to said lever and engaging said suspension cables, and spring means including a spring secured to said structure adjacent each side thereof and having a cable attached to said spring and lever, and a system of pulleys directing the spring cables in opposed directions to opposing portions of said lever, thereby tending to rotate said lever about its pivot so as to take up the Suspension cables. 15. In a berth structure having a lower space therein, a counterbalancing mechanism residing in the lower space for vertically lowering and raising said structure and comprising a plurality of suspension cables each having one end extending from a corner of the structure for attachment to an overhead object and the other end being directed by a pulley device at said corner to a double pulley means adjacent an end of said structure and being anchored to said structure, a lever pivotally mounted to said structure in the lower space and having a double pulley unit mounted at each end thereof, each unit rotatable relative to said lever and engaging said suspension cables, and a pair of spring units each including a spring secured at a corner of said structure adjacent a side thereof and a cable secured to the free end of the spring and directed by a first guide pulley away from the side so as to be normal thereto and then directed by a second guide pulley to a portion of said lever where said cable is secured, the cables being secured to said lever so as to take up the suspension cables.

16. In combination with an upwardly and downwardly movable berth, counterbalancing mechanism comprising a plurality of suspension cables supporting the berth from above and extending into the berth, means anchoring each cable to the berth, pulley devices guiding the cables to the anchoring means, means pivotally mounted on the berth engaging the cables between the anchoring means and pulley devices, and biasing means normally urging the pivotal means to rotate in a direction 8 to extend the lengths of cables between the pulley devices and anchoring. means and thereby shorten the lengths of cables above the berth.-

17. A counterbalanced vertically movable berth struc-.

ture. comprising .a berth, a plurality of suspension cables supporting the berth from above, means anchoring the lower ends of the cables to the berth, pulley devices on the berth guiding the cables to the anchoring means, pivotal means mounted on the berth engaging the cables between the anchoringmeans and pulley devices, and biasing means normally urging the pivotal means for rotation in a direction to take up the cables between the pulley devices and anchoring means.

18. counterbalance mechanism for a vertically movable berth, comprising a plurality of cables supporting the berth from above, means anchoring the lower ends of the cables to the berth, pulley devices on the berth guiding the cables to said anchoringmeans, pivotal means mounted on the berth engaging the cables between said anchoring means and; pulley devices rotatable in one direction to take up the cables between the anchoring means and pulley devices and in the other direction to let out the cables, and biasing means normally urging the pivotal means to rotate in said one direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Dean et al. Mar. 30, 1954 

